Abidemi Sanusi : I'm a writer, not an editor

I'm a writer, not an editor

When I tell people I’m a writer, 80% of the time, they tell me about their literary masterpiece that’s languishing in a drawer and would benefit from my professional editorial expertise.

I graciously refuse, 100% of the time, because I am a writer, not an editor.

Writing and editing are two different skill sets. The editor’s job is to turn the writer’s dross into a vaguely coherent piece. They are editorial trouble-shooters, flagging up and dealing with structural and grammatical gaps in the writer’s work. Most importantly, they work with the writer to address those gaps. It is a highly personal, collaborative, and at times, intense relationship. One that ‘sensitive’ writers struggle with. It goes without saying that writers cannot objectively edit their own work because they are too close to it - which is why they need an editor.

Good editors are hard, but not impossible to find. If you are looking for one, you can start by going through the Society for Editors and Proofreader’s (Sfep) online directory. Each entry comes with the editor’s area of expertise and Sfep’s membership level, so you can be sure that your opus is in safe hands.